Trax featuring Thelma Houston, The Blue Velvets, Instant Funk, Kings of Tomorrow

Stealing in the name of the Lord – Thelma Houston (Originally written & sung by Paul Kelly – trak was/is so iconic that the title lyrics were included in “Papa was a rolling stone written by Norman Whitfield” … Thelma was assigned to ABC/Dunhill before moving unto Motown Records, this trak was only available on her “Best of” before original album was re-released)

Summertime – The Blue Velvets (Also known as “Free Expression” – this quartet released an album featuring primarily of Sam Cooke compositions … released by ‘Record Symphony Corporation’ – re-released with a different title & artist)

Slap Slap Lickedy Lap – Instant Funk (Self-contained group which includes brothers Kim and Scotty Miller was discovered by Bunny Sigler … following him to Salsoul Records where they released six albums in total – recorded at Bob Blank’s ‘Blank Tape Studio’ in New York)

K.o.T Anthem – Kings of Tomorrow feat. Stacey Alexander (Kings of Tomorrow are/were duo Sandy Rivera & Jose Burgos who recorded under a plethora of pseudonyms … they released their output on various labels and featured variety of vocalists)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRKIz82lKQc

Trax feat. Aretha Franklin, Grace Jones, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Dj Spen

Willing to forgive – Aretha Franklin (Aretha “Queen of Soul” was first recorded in 1956 in Detroit, U.S.A., – the ‘Gospel’ album was eventually released on Chess Records … writers/producers Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds & Darryl Simmonds first came to prominence as part of the self-contained group “Manchild” who assigned to Chicago’s “Chi-Sound” label)

Below the belt – Grace Jones (Heading back to Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia – Producer, 12 Inch Inventor, Remixer Extra-Ordinaire (and percussionist aka ‘Moto’) Tom Moulton armed himself with John “Monster” Davis and an assortment of Philadelphia’s finest session men and women that were available for Grace’s second ‘platter’)

Somebody gonna off the man – Love Unlimited Orchestra (From the original sound track of “The Together Brothers” – music & lyrics courtesy of Barry White and arranger by Gene Page … uncredited are such luminaries as Melvin ‘Wah Wah Watson” also Nathan East & Ray Parker Junior)

Thanks to you – Dj Spen with Tracy Hamlin (Trak taken from Quantize Records ‘head honcho’ Sean Spencer’s album “Transition” – who puts his own spin on a ‘Paradise Garage’ favourite … Tracy stretched the musical boundaries whilst with Jazz combo “Pieces of a Dream” also was part of The Basement Boys’s ‘Sublevel’ pseudonym)

Trax featuring Vince Ebo, Barry White, Eddie Henderson, Valerie Ingram

It’s over – Vince Ebo ( Vince was part of a duo called ‘The Fit’ who recorded for A&M Records before going solo … releasing his only album “Love is the better way” on Warner Alliance – part of Christian/Gospel arm of Warner Brothers)

It ain’t love baby (until you give it) – Barry White (After his major success with 20th Century Records, Barry formed his own record label – “Unlimited Gold” for his various productions to be released … available in both 7 & 12 inch format were culled from his ‘The Message is Love’ album)

Funk Surgeon – Eddie Henderson (Inspired by both Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis who were family friends – Eddie picked up the trumpet … recording with such heavyweights as Herbie Hancock, Norman Connors & Charles Earland before signing a contract with Capricorn Records)

Are you faithful. – Valerie Ingram (Released on New Jersey’s “Movin Records” – written & produced by Rashad Muhammad & Boyd Jarvis with additional lyrics by Valerie … background vocals by Charvoni & Sonya Rogers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFaeY_aX8fA